DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES

College of Criminal Justice Education

Laoag City

CDI2

CDI 1: SPECIALIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION with LEGAL MEDICINE_DCCP_CCJE_LAOAG CITY_mpl_mpe_fve Page 1

 DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES
College of Criminal Justice Education
Laoag City

TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PAGE
 COVER SHEET 1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
 COURSE TITLE 2
 LEARNING OUTCOMES 2
 GENERAL INSTRUCTION 3
 CHAPTER I: PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
 TOPIC 1: DEFINITION OF TERMS
 TOPIC 2: RESPONSIBILITIES OF SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATOR 3
 TOPIC 3: PHASES OF SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION 5
 TOPIC 4: SIGNIFICANCE OF RECONSTRUCTING THE PAST 7
 TOPIC 5: ELEMENTS OF MANAGING SPECIAL INVESTIGATION 8
 REFERENCES 9
 ASSESSMENT 9
I. TITLE: CDI 1 - SPECIALIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION W/ LEGAL MEDICINE
II. INTRODUCTION:
CDI 1: Specialized Crime Investigation with Legal Medicine deals with the study of crimes based on
logic and objectivity with the application of special investigative techniques. It gives emphasis on the basic
attributes of good investigator equipped with the theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of
the general principles of criminal investigation through forensic/legal medicine - the science that deals with
the application of medical knowledge to legal questions.

III. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

This module contains lessons about Specialized Crime Investigation with Legal Medicine. Internalize the
learning outcomes for you to have an idea on our topics. In this time, you need to give an extra effort to your
subject for learning development. Learn to manage your time for school works and home study/learning area at
your home for you to be focused. Set yourself and mind to read and understand well the contents of our
lesson. Make your own good strategy to learn and improve your learning ability and to develop your higher
order of thinking skills. Each topic in this module will be supplemented via online learning. Kindly reserve a
budget for your internet connectivity. I strongly advised you to refrain from online leisure like mobile games and
unnecessary online activity so that your internet connectivity will be reserved for your scholarly activities.
Further, an assessment or a quiz will be given at the end of the discussion on every topic to evaluate
whether you have learned something from the lesson or not. Also, quizzes and examinations will be
conducted via EDMODO. Instructions are explained prior.

IV. LEARNING OUTCOMES :

At the end of the course, you are expected to:
1. define key terms used in the subject;
2. apply the attributes of a good investigator;
3. apply the theoretical and practical knowledge of the general principles of special crime investigation.
4. classify elements of crime and the circumstances behind every commission of such crime;

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 DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES
College of Criminal Justice Education
Laoag City

5.
analyze and apply the general principles of special criminal investigation;
6. analyze the significance of Legal Medicine in criminal investigation.

     1. UNIT 1: PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

TOPIC 1: Definition of Terms
i. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1) recall the common terms used during the course ;
2) compare/contrast special crime investigation, heinous, & sensational crimes;
3) familiarize with the concept of crime scene processing.
ii. LECTURE:
Below are the usual terms that you are going to encounter as the course progresses. Read and
digest them for they are the “nutrients” that should run into your veins as an investigator.
Definition of Terms
o Special Crime Investigation – is the investigation of cases that are unique and often require
special training to fully understand their broad significance.
o Legal Medicine- is a branch of medicine which deals with an application of medical
knowledge for the purpose of law and in the administration of justice.
o Heinous Crimes- these are crimes directed against elected government officials, officials
appointed by the President, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, media practitioners, militant party
list members/leftist activists, labor leaders, foreign nationals, church leaders, prominent
personalities, environmentalists, and other persons through shooting, bombing, strafing,
assault, enforced disappearance and other violent acts resulting in their death or
incapacitation.
o Sensational Crimes - are crimes directed against elected government officials, officials
appointed by the President, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, media practitioners, militant party
list members/leftist activists, labor leaders, foreign nationals, church leaders, prominent
personalities, environmentalists, and other persons through shooting, bombing, strafing,
assault, enforced disappearance and other violent acts resulting in their death or
incapacitation that attract national/international public/or media attention/scrutiny.
TOPIC 2: Responsibilities of Special Crime Investigator
1. Determine if the Crime has been Committed
In determining crime, an investigator must be:
a. Familiar with the elements of crime;
b. Knowledgeable in criminal laws and special laws;
c. Consultation with Prosecutors; and
d. Civil litigations with rare exceptions wherein LEAs has no responsibility

2. Verify Jurisdiction

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 DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES
College of Criminal Justice Education
Laoag City

a.
If a crime is not within the investigator’s jurisdiction, there is no responsibility for its investigation;
b. Unless otherwise directed by higher authorities for a certain case to be investigated by other
units/agency; and
c. Crime committed on the border line of two (2) jurisdictions, the first unit to respond usually
has the jurisdiction over the case. (Please refer to Protocols in Investigation, Protocol 1 of
the PNP Investigation Manual 2010.)
3. Discover all Facts and Collect Physical Evidence
For the discovery and collection of physical evidence, the investigator must:
a. Confer with the first responders’ initial conduct of investigation;
b. Take full control of the crime and
c. Conduct follow-up of the case and documentation.
4. Recovery of Stolen Property
Stolen property can be recovered thru’:
a. Implementation of a valid Search Warrant;
b. Checkpoint/Chokepoint/Dragnet Operations
c. Search incidental to a Valid Arrest
d. Visitorial Powers of the PNP.
5. Identify Perpetrator
Identity of the perpetrator can be established thru’:
a. People
b. Records/Documents
c. Modus Operandi Files
6. Locate and Apprehend the Perpetrator
Means to locate and apprehend the perpetrator:
a. People
b. Records/Documents
c. Modus Operandi Files
d. Suspect Profiling
7. Aid in the Prosecution of the Perpetrator:
a. Preparation of Case Folder
b. Liaising to the Office of the Prosecutor
8. Testify Effectively In Court
An investigator must be familiar with the Rules on Evidence and the pitfalls of re-direct and
re-cross-examinations.

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 DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES
College of Criminal Justice Education
Laoag City

c) TOPIC 3: Phases of Special Crime Investigation

1. The Preliminary Investigation

The initial phase or the first 72 hours (“Golden Hour”) of a major case such as murder or
kidnapping/abduction investigation (crimes of violence investigation) is crucial. Since murder,
homicide, and kidnapping/abduction are considered as either heinous or sensational, the IOC shall
immediately request for technical assistance of the SOCO Team from the local PNP Crime
Laboratory Office through the TOC. In instances where the IOC must collect the evidence himself
when it is about to be destroyed or contaminated, he should similarly be guided by the protocols of
investigation. Only duly-trained investigators can process the crime scene.

Upon arrival at the crime scene, the IOC makes a general assessment of the scene, takes
a cautious walk-through, jots down notes to extensively document/record important factors and
establishes the evidence most likely to be encountered. He then defines the extent of the search
area, and makes specific assignments. From his assessment, he develops a general theory of the
crime scene to set his plan in motion.

The investigator needs speedy and continuous reports on the incident as well as on the
results and course of determined actions. There are a lot of initial information to be clarified and
assessed in order to survey the situation and to create bases for priorities and directions:

a. When, where, and why did it happen?

b. Who is the victim?
c. Possible motive?
d. How did the perpetrator gain entry into the crime scene and how did he flee the
scene?
e. Is the perpetrator to be found among a selected few?
f. Could any specific individual be suspected? Why?
g. Is there a description of the perpetrators? Accomplices?
h. Is there any information on vehicles used?
i. Is there anything missing from the crime scene or from the victim?
j. Did the perpetrator leave anything behind through which he could be traced?
k. Are there any incidents, occurrences, circumstances or observations that could be
connected with the crime?
l. Determine if the particular area is the preliminary crime or is it the finding place and the
crime happened in some other place? If so, secure the primary crime scene.

It is also imperative that whenever a crime of violence or other major or sensational

crime occurs that an On-Scene Command Post (OSCP) be immediately established adjacent to

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 DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES
College of Criminal Justice Education
Laoag City

the crime scene. Among others, the OSCP will provide a safe and secured area where the
evidence custodian may be located to receive evidence and where other operational and

administrative activities may be undertaken. (Field Manual on Investigation of Crimes of

Violence and other Crimes [2011] pp. 10-12)

2. The In-Depth Investigation (Protocol 11)

The second investigative state of criminal offense is the follow-up or the continuing inquiry
The in-depth phase follows- up initial leads stemming from the preliminary investigation.
Traditionally, this stage of inquiry has been the sole responsibility of the IOC because the
continuing investigation is frequently defined as occurring when the patrol officer yields
responsibility to the investigator.

The in-depth investigation begins with a general reexamination of all facts, leads and other
types of information secured during the preliminary investigation. The investigator must
determine if the preliminary inquiry was complete and to answer the following:

a. Was the crime scene processed in a proper manner?

b. If a suspect was arrested, was the arrest legally competent?
c. Of the physical evidence secured, which should be examined by the CLAB and where
specific examinations should be requested?
d. Are the identifying data, concerning the victims and witnesses correct?
e. Have the first responders, in regard to the leads or areas of inquiry not found in the
formal preliminary report?

Once the investigator is satisfied that the preliminary investigation has been conducted
in a satisfactory manner, gathering of information, independent of the initial stage, begins. The
specific duties involved will, of course, depend on the type of offense being investigated.
However, the following tasks are normally associated with all serious in-depth inquiries:

a) Return to the crime scene for further, ocular investigation.

b) Process all the documentary evidence having some bearing on the inquiry.
c) Application of criminalistics to the case by initiating the completion of the following:
1) Packaging and transporting physical evidence to a crime laboratory.
2) Accounting for the return of crime laboratory reports for each examination
requested.
3) Arranging for expert criminalistics processing of the crime scene, if necessary.
d) Gathering of investigative leads by obtaining information from the following:
1) Informants of criminal background, paid or otherwise.

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 DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES
College of Criminal Justice Education
Laoag City

2) Merchants or other non-criminal informants who may aid in the recovery of stolen
property.
3) A thorough neighborhood search for witnesses or those who may provide any
type of pertinent information.

4) An appeal to the public for information, by utilization of the media or other

sources.

The investigator may obtain information in other ways, the specific offense indicating a
course of inquiry. For example, an unsuccessful business that has been completely destroyed
by fire suggests the possibility of arson for insurance motives. Or the murder of the leader of a
violent street gang may point toward an inquiry involving rival gangs. It should be emphasized
that the investigator must be flexible in the investigative approach. No two investigations will be
the same.

3. Concluding the Investigation

The concluding investigation, the final stage, is the direct outgrowth of the previous two
stages. If the preliminary and in-depth investigations have been unsuccessful in identifying,
locating and arresting a suspect, certain administrative decisions concerning the continuation of
the case must be made. Criminal investigation is concluded when the case was already referred
to the Office of the Prosecutor.

ii. LECTURE: Significance of Reconstructing the Past

The information needed to reconstruct the past is available through the three (3) sources:
people, physical evidence, and records/documents. Special crime investigators, more
concerned with the immediate past, often put all 3 sources to use:

1. People:
a) Victims
b) Witnesses
2. Physical Evidence
Any object, of a material nature, is potential physical evidence. The scientific specialists,
which undertake most examinations of physical evidence, use forensic medicine, chemistry
and criminalistics. Their purpose being the acquisition of facts, the following questions
arises: What is the material? If found at the crime scene, can it be linked to, or help
exonerate, a suspect? Can it be used to reconstruct what happened? In a homicide, what
was the cause of death?
3. Records/Documents
Records are a form of physical evidence. However, they receive separate treatment
because they are widely scattered, voluminous and have specialists devoting full time to
their storage and retrieval. Modern society relies on paper records by storing the information
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 DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES
College of Criminal Justice Education
Laoag City

collected day in and day out. Later, this can prove useful in a criminal investigation. For
example, telephone company records of toll cash can establish that two people, both
denying any relationship, had indeed been in communication. Records need not be printed
or handwritten. They may be stored on film, tape or even computer disc or hard drive.

e) TOPIC 5: Elements of Managing Special Crime Investigation

1) Initial Investigation (Please refer Topic 3, Phase 1 of Phases of Special Crime Investigation.)
2) Case Screening/Case Review

Case reviews can be seen as a form of risk management that seeks to apply the
principles of systems audit in order to reduce the likelihood of both recurrent and typical
errors. It is intended to identify and develop investigative opportunities that will help

progress an investigation. The case review provides a new perspective (“fresh eye”) into
the investigation to identify areas where support could be provided to the investigators
particularly during difficult or protracted cases. The Informal “Golden Hour” Review is
one type of review that is most commonly used because it provides the case managers the
chance to correct possible errors or omission early on which would otherwise be very difficult
to rectify in the later stages of the investigation. ( Field Manual on Investigation of Crimes of
Violence and other Crimes (2011) Chapter 13, p.128 )

 Principal Aims of Case Review

a. To identify and develop investigative opportunities that will progress an
investigation.
b. To act as a form of quality assurance in relation to both the content and process
of an investigation.
c. To identify, develop and disseminate good investigative practice.
3) Continuing Investigation/Follow up of Case (Protocol 11)

The investigator shall conduct police operation to identify and apprehend suspects
based on the results of initial investigation conducted.

4) Police-Prosecutor Relations

It must be emphasized that the job of the investigator doesn’t end with the filing of
the complaint. When the case is already being heard in Court, there is still a need for the
investigator to testify and identify the pertinent documentary evidence that were prepared
and executed.

It is imperative therefore that the communication and coordination is constant

between the investigator and the Public Prosecutor. The Prosecutor must guide and prepare
the investigators beforehand as to the matters that they needed to testify to avoid any

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 DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the PHILIPPINES
College of Criminal Justice Education
Laoag City

blunder that may be committed by the investigator during trial. (Field Investigation Manual for
Murder/Homicide Cases [2015] p. 219)

 5 Essential Steps of Good Police-Prosecutor Relations:

a. Increased consultation between executives of the agencies.
b. Increased cooperation among supervisory personnel of the agency.

c. The use of liaison officers to communicate to police personnel the

investigatory techniques and evidence standards that the prosecutor requires
to file a case.
d. Improved case preparation procedures, including the use of forms and
checklists.
e. Developing a system of formal and informal feedback to the police on case
dispositions.
5) Investigative Monitoring System
A case monitoring system is set up to give administrators’ continuous feedback on the
investigative process and the quality of personnel performance.
iii. REFERENCES:
a. Soriano, Oscar Gatchalian (2008). Chapter I: Special Crime Investigation (Theories and
Techniques).Quezon City: Great Books Publishing;

b. PNP Criminal Investigation Manual (Revised) 2010;

iv. ASSESSMENT: (Weekly Assessment will be posted at the portal system)

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